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Butler University is planning to raise as much as $12 million to modernize Hinkle Fieldhouse, the home of its Bulldogs basketball
team.
The 82-year-old brick arena—the stage for numerous high school basketball championships as well as the finale of the movie
“Hoosiers”—could do with some new utilities. And fans might appreciate more concession stands and restrooms.
Those were the conclusions of a study of the building Butler officials conducted after the Fieldhouse roof was damaged last
summer. The university is in the early planning stages of a fund-raising campaign, estimating that it needs $10 million to
$12 million for the project.
“The goal throughout will be to retain the character and charm of the fieldhouse while modernizing the inside to make
it more convenient for today's audiences,” Butler spokeswoman Courtney Tuell wrote in an e-mail.
She said Butler is considering turning the pool area into study areas for student athletes and office space. Doing so would
also create more room in Hinkle’s concourses for extra restrooms and concession areas.
The 11,000-seat Fieldhouse is getting extra attention this week as Butler’s men’s basketball team will play in
the NCAA Final Four tournament this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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